Gerson: Influence of our sins may linger

Posted: Friday, July 30, 2010

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There certainly have been many awesome depictions of God's issuing the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. From Cecil B. DeMille's bombastic scene in the movie "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Heston, to the television miniseries "Moses the Law Giver" (where Burt Lancaster then took on the role of Moses), to other film portrayals, the power of that moment stays with us.

Indeed, the "original" - the Bible itself - strikes a very powerful chord.

"On that day, there was thunder and lightning and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the horn exceedingly loud; and all the people that were in the camp trembled." (Exodus 19:16)

Actually, there is an awesomeness in the wording of the Ten Commandments themselves, and, I find, none so gripping as the latter part of the Second Commandment, which begins with the prohibition against idolatry, but then continues:

"I the Lord am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." (Exodus 20:5)

What is this saying? Does God exact punishment upon innocent children on account of the parents' transgressions? Would God really do that? Of course not.

In truth, commentators explain what this haunting verse really means. It has nothing to do with punishment, but rather with the effects of the wrongful actions of people upon their offspring. There are potent examples of this moral interdependence. The tragedy of AIDS babies cries out in this respect. Also, we can easily see how the children of criminals suffer because of what a parent has done. In this way, "the iniquity of the fathers" is indeed visited upon the children.

If we fully understand this passage, it will deeply help us in our lives. It teaches us that our ignoble actions are not only ethically wrong of themselves, but moreover, they can have a devastating consequence on our progeny.

The recent spate of indiscretions of prominent figures - Tiger Woods, Pete Rose, Kobe Bryant, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and others - and the effects on their families - might lure us into thinking this only happens to the rich and famous. But, make no mistake about it, moral interdependence involves us all. It is a warning to be very careful in our actions, because of the negative effects that can ensue.

Obviously, we also have the power to affect our children positively by our good acts. As Henry Adams said, "a teacher affects eternity." But the antithesis is also true. This is the caution to us from our Second Commandment.

• The Rabbi Ronald D. Gerson leads the Congregation Children of Israel in Athens.